Islamabad: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has imposed a $6,472 fine on a TV channel for airing fake news about Prime Minister Imran Khan's salary raise.

During a hearing on Thursday, the Neo TV's management was asked to respond to the show cause notice issued to it around a week ago, Dawn reported.

"The matter relates to airing of the news that the salary package of the prime minister has been enhanced during a talk show. However, a rebuttal was issued by the authority concerned," a Pemra official said on Friday, adding that when the channel did not pay heed to the rebuttal, a show cause notice was issued for airing fake news.

The notice mentioned that the channel had violated the Code of Conduct 2015, and did not air the official denial.

The TV channel management claimed during the hearing that the rebuttal was aired in the same talk show, but the argument was turned down by Pemra on the grounds that it was aired after the show-cause notice was issued.